Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Ghostwriter’s Tamara Almeida

Actress-producer Tamara Almeida is captivating audiences with each new story and character she brings to life. Past credits include several films and hit television productions, including Degrassi: Next Class, Good Witch, Heroes Reborn, and Warehouse 13. She’s also produced and co-produced several short films that have made their way around the festival circuit. Currently, she can be seen in her biggest role to date as Young Grandma Tess in Apple TV+’s adaptation of the ’90s classic Ghostwriter. Pop Culturalist spoke to Tamara about the role.

Career

PC: How did you discover your passion for acting?
Tamara: It was early on, and it was a general passion for the arts. I loved singing, dancing, acting, playing dress-up, you name it. I was one of four kids, so it was fun to play with my siblings, discovering what we each enjoyed creatively. The first movie I saw was The Little Mermaid and I was obsessed. The singing really stood out and I absolutely loved it. Then I saw The Phantom of the Opera, and it blew me away to watch non-animated people doing the same. I didn’t really know much else other than this at the time, but I remember I couldn’t let go of the magic I’d felt at the theater. I was only six years old. My dad had recently told me I needed to listen to the Phantom cassette every night before bed. He would take me to see Phantom a couple more times, along with other shows over the years, because he knew it excited me. I’d say this solidified me wanting to be on a stage.

I really wanted to sing, dance, and act in front of people. When opportunities came up in school, I was eager to take part in any capacity. The big shift happened at nine when I was auditioning for Annie. I went up and sang in this soft voice, and when they asked me to get a bit louder, I was terrified I’d be too loud. I sat down, and at the end of the auditions, I got back up and asked if I could try again. This time, I was shaking but managed to belt out “Maybe.” I remember everyone looking stunned. I was a very petite nine-year-old, awkward and shy, with this massive voice all of a sudden. They asked me to do it again. I somehow felt connected to those words, and something about connecting with my voice at that moment introduced me to a new feeling: sharing my own understanding of truth using someone else’s words. “Maybe” wasn’t my literal experience, but I could relate to it on many levels. It stunned me to feel that need for expression and this vehicle for communication is still my favorite part about being an actor.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Tamara: Great question! I have been influenced and inspired by many things and feel they cross over quite a bit. Growing up, I’d say Beyoncé really showed me the importance of tireless effort, work ethic, and technical precision. Consistency in her output. Then once I started acting, Brit Marling was my biggest inspiration, shifting me from wanting to be an actor to a content creator. I saw Another Earth when I was first starting out, and I was so impressed that she wrote it, produced it, acted in it. Then for my birthday the following year, we went to see her new film, Sound of My Voice, and I was completely blown away. Minimal locations, solid sci-fi story, and great acting. I was and still am so inspired by her.

A few years later, I was told about a show called Fleabag, and this introduced to me the mega-influence and inspiration that is Phoebe Waller-Bridge. She was funny, she was crass, and she was a woman I related to. It’s still probably one of the best shows I’ve ever seen, along with that first season of Killing Eve and Crashing. Her writing is fantastic. She’s well known now and has gone on to develop, write, and contribute to many projects since Fleabag. PWB has carved out the career she wants for herself, all whilst remaining true to who she is. At present, she is my greatest influence/inspiration today. I’m striving to have a career like hers!

Ghostwriter

PC: Tell us about Ghostwriter, your character, and what drew you to this project. How familiar were you with the original series?
Tamara: This Ghostwriter reboot is a reimagined version of the original. It follows a group of four children who team up when a ghost starts haunting their local bookstore. Fictional characters are released into the real world, and together they try to solve the mysteries surrounding our ghost’s unfinished business.

As for what drew me to the project, my agent sent me an email with the audition sides, and I loved them right away. They were a bit vague, but I was excited to see the scenes took place in flashbacks. It didn’t have many details, but the world felt very realized. I made Young Grandma Tess my own and went in to see the casting director Larissa Mair here in Toronto. It was a lot of fun and was one of those parts I knew very little about but felt very connected to. I did get an inkling that it was going to be the reboot for this show, and I was excited at the prospect of working on something that was such a big part of my childhood. I’d watched the original series after school, every day, on PBS. (Somebody pass the pen necklace please!)

As for my character, I’d describe Young Grandma Tess as a passionate, value-driven woman with an innate belief in doing what’s right. That’s all I can say at the moment!

PC: Was there any pressure heading into this project, given how beloved the original was?
Tamara: The show stands on its own, so I didn’t feel much pressure, other than to tell the truth about what I knew in relation to my character’s experience. I worked hard to make sure I did my part to honor one of my favorite shows. I’ve watched the first batch of episodes, and they turned out great!

PC: How does this adaptation differentiate itself from the original?
Tamara: The original followed a group of kids who teamed up to solve mysteries together with the help of a ghost who could communicate only through an old-school computer. It was before its time. The reimagined version follows a group of four kids who team up after a ghost starts haunting their local bookstore. This version of Ghostwriter sees fictional characters released into neighborhoods, with our young heroes chasing the truth and trying to solve these mysteries together.

PC: What can you tease about your character’s arc this season?
Tamara: I can’t say much (anything) because I’m sworn to secrecy, but I can say that it’s a very fun arc for Young Grandma Tess!

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Tamara: Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Tamara: Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping

PC: Favorite book?
Tamara: The Myth of Sanity

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Tamara: Phantom of the Opera

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Tamara: Big fan of haunting, cinematic-sounding music and listen to a lot of Ramin Djawadi, Max Richter.

PC: Who would play you in the story of your life?
Tamara: I would like to request Shakira play me in the musical adaptation of my life. Runner up: JLo.

PC: Hidden talent?
Tamara: I’m a skincare guru.

To keep up with Tamara, follow her on Twitter and Instagram. Catch Ghostwriter every Friday on Apple TV+.